Expectations
Many decades back few actors like Dara Singh and others kept making films based on the lives of the wrestlers or had a national and international wrestler playing key role in their films.
With the rise of Cricket and its fandom, Bollywood too kept emphasizing more on Cricket based films. Thankfully, with the success of films like 'Chak De India', 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', 'Paan Singh Tomar', 'Mary Kom' and few more films, our film makers ventured into different sports which eventually led them to wrestling with form of 'Sultan'.
Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' also has wresling as its backdrop but also is a biopic based on the lives of champion wrestling family. The first trailer and all the hardship associated with has raised the expectation bar to its peak.
Story
'Dangal' is a real life story based on Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan), a national level champion wrestler whose only dream was to win a gold medal for India. Due to financial situations he failed to fulfill his dream but settles down with a hope of his son winning the gold for the country. Mahavir gets highly disappointed when his wife Shobha (Sakshi Tanwar) gives birth to four daughters. Mahavir gives up all his hope and locks down his dreams. One day a silver lining appears in the life of Mahavir as he discovers that his two daughters Geeta (Zaira Wasim / Fatima Sana Shaikh) and Babita (Suhani Bhatnagar / Sanya Malhotra) have all the potential of becoming wrestlers. Right from their teenage days Mahavir starts a rigorous training for Geeta and Babita so that they can win gold medal for India.
The 'Glitz' Factor
The movie is presented in a totally gripping manner with the right amount of emotions in its perfect place. Also, the humour quotient is maintained in the film, making it an ease to watch. All the great films have several fantastic moments but in case of 'Dangal', the entire screenplay is full of fantastic moments.
The dialogues are heartfelt and works perfectly as per the situation required. The cinematography by Setu is of top notch and does proper justice to the feel and genre of the movie. It's refreshing to see the Haryana state to be shown in such positive manner for the first time in our Hindi cinema.
The music works as an additional screenplay in the movie and songs such as 'Dangal', 'Haanikaarak Bapu', 'Dhaakad' and 'Gilehriyaan' are well placed in the movie. 'Naina' adds the right amount of emotions in the film. The background music is fantastic.
Director Nitesh Tiwari deserves full marks for extracting fantabulous performances from his team. He excels in every department. He narrates the film in proper manner and makes you connect with every emotion in the film. The matches and training process are shown in highly entertaining as well as engaging manner, making you feel as a part of the screen happenings. The whole bonding of father and daughters is among the best we have seen in our films.
Aamir Khan is known for many iconic performances and 'Dangal' ends up among the top of his performances till date. His heavy body acts as an additional importance to his character and excels in every scene. Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar as young Geeta and Babita are adorably cute. They will leave you spell bounded by their wrestling moves. Fatima Sana Shaikh is fantastic as adult Geeta and carries some of the most important scenes on her shoulders. Her wrestling matches in the commonwealth games are a treat to watch. Sanya Malhotra as adult Babita lends great support and shines in the emotional scenes. Sakshi Tanwar's silent support in the movie is good, but wished there was some depth to her character. Aparshakti Khurrana is sweet and charming. His vocal narration is fantastic. Girish Kulkarni does full justice to his part.
The 'Non-Glitz' Factor
The story as we all know is inspired from the real life of wrestling champion family of Mahavir Singh Phogat,Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, thus is bit predictable. The training part, especially the one with the usage of the mats was shown easily.
Many of Indian wrestlers failed to achieve their success due to the transformation from wrestling in mud to mat and out here it was shown in a jiffy. Also, the finale situation of Aamir was highly dramatized without any reason.
This typically Bollywood type of scene was totally out of place in this realistic film. Also, the usage of National Anthem should have been placed in better manner along with a notification as many might disrespect it. ‘Sultan’ fans might find some repetitive moments but they are marginal.
Final 'Glitz'
'Dangal' shines high and deserves all the awards and medals for its brave, daring, engaging and highly entertaining display.
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